Accommodation Device For An Electronic Apparatus With a Monitor

ABSTRACT

An accommodation device for an electronic apparatus with a monitor on a flat side, wherein the accommodation device has an accommodation area for the apparatus which features a wall section, destinated to take its bearing on the monitor of the apparatus, wherein a flat plug in element is provided, which is provided with a soft surface on at least one flat side and which sits close to the wall section in the plugged in condition.

The present invention is related to an accommodation device for an electronic apparatus with a monitor. Such an electronic apparatus may be a camera, a PDA, a telephone, a mobile gaming console, a MP3 player or a portable computer, for instance.

From DE 202 05 836 U1, a cellular phone pocket made of an elastic material is known, whose walls are made of a shock- and impact proof material. For this purpose, it is proposed to incorporate the shock- and impact proof material into the wall of the pocket. Alternatively, it is also mentioned to thrust a break-proof plastic material insert into the pocket and to provide the inner surface thereof with a cladding of a soft, elastically resilient material.

From U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,655, a spectacle box with an insertable U-shaped stiffening element is known. The stiffening element consists of a rigid material, which is bent in a U-shape. In the inserted condition, the legs of the U-shaped stiffening element are pressed together by the spectacle box, so that the stiffening element presses against the spectacle box and is held on the inner side of the spectacle box with its outer side by frictional engagement. The inner sides of the U-shaped stiffening element are clad with a thin and flexible material, in order to avoid damage of the spectacle lenses.

Today, portable electronic apparatuses are equipped with monitors of always increasing magnitude. In the meantime, the monitors often have a visible diagonal of several inches. In the storage and the transportation of these electronic apparatuses, the problem frequently occurs that the monitor is scratched or damaged by external effects in an accommodation device like a pocket, for instance. Further, it cannot always be avoided in the handling of these apparatuses that a user touches the monitor, through which perturbing dots and impressions are generated on the monitor.

The present invention is based on the objective to provide an accommodation device for an electronic apparatus, which protects the apparatus in the transportation and permits cleaning of the monitor with simple means at the same time.

According to the present invention, the objective is resolved by an accommodation device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments form the subject matter of the subclaims.

The accommodation device of the present invention serves for the accommodation of an electronic apparatus which has a monitor on a flat side. The accommodation device has an accommodation area, into which the apparatus is plugged in, laid in or otherwise put in. The accommodation area for the apparatus has a wall section, which is destinated to take its bearing on the monitor of the apparatus. When the electronic apparatus is received in the accommodation device, the wall section which is destinated to take its bearing on the monitor of the apparatus sits close to the monitor. According to the present invention, the accommodation device has a flat plug in element, which is provided with a soft surface on at least one flat side and which sits close to that wall section which points towards the monitor of the apparatus in the plugged in condition. In relation to the dimensions of the accommodation device, the plug in element has a significantly smaller height, and therefore it is also designated as a flat plug in element. The plug in element is envisioned as a separate, form-stable element, which is plugged into the accommodation device and can be removed from the same. In the plugged-in condition, the plug in element bears flatly against the wall section of the accommodation area. When the electronic apparatus is arranged in the accommodation area also, the soft surface of the plug in element points towards the monitor of the apparatus and sits close to the same. The soft surface makes sure during the transportation and upon shocks of the apparatus in particular that the monitor surface is not scratched and shocks are damped. In addition, the monitor surface is cleaned on the soft surface when the apparatus is set in and pulled out. An additional advantage of the separately formed plug in element is that the same can be taken out of the accommodation device and the monitor can be cleaned with the soft surface thereof. Thus, the plug in element fulfils a double function, it serves for the protection of the electronic apparatus and for cleaning the monitor at the same time, wherein the storage of the plug in element makes sure in addition that the same is not inadvertently contaminated or lost.

In a preferred embodiment, the plug in element is made to be stiffer than the accommodation area for the apparatus. Thus, through the stiff plug in element, the entire accommodation device can be additionally stiffened and stabilised. By using the plug in element, the rest of the accommodation device and its wall can be made less shape-retaining, without any loss of overall stability, for instance in order to make the same more lightweight or to produce it with less material.

The plug in element features preferably an essentially rectangular shape, which is adapted to the flat side of the electronic apparatus in its dimensions. Besides to the essentially rectangular shape, a rounded shape may also be provided, as long as the same is adapted in its dimensions to the dimensions of the electronic apparatus or the monitor thereof, respectively, or to the interior dimension of the plug in element. Preferably, the flat side is provided with a soft microfibre tissue. However, even other soft tissues or nonwovens are conceivable, which clean the monitor and keep it free of stripes. Preferably, that flat side of the plug in element which is provided to bear against the monitor is upholstered. The plug in element has a flat shape, in which one side is formed planary and the opposing side is somewhat upholstered. Even both sides of the plug in element can be upholstered, wherein different stuffings are possible on the two sides, for instance, one side for cleaning the monitor and the other side for cleaning the objective lens.

In a preferred embodiment, the plug in element is provided with holding elements in order to be held in the accommodation area in the inserted state. As the holding means, a push button, a Velcro tape, a magnetic button, magnets or the like can be provided, for instance. In a preferred embodiment, the accommodation area receives the plug in element completely. The accommodation area can be covered up by a lid or a flap, which is foldably connected to the accommodation area. Further, a lock is preferably provided in order to close the accommodation area securely. Alternatively to a lid or a flap, a zip- or sliding lock may also be provided.

An example of the realisation of the accommodation device of the present invention is explained in more detail in the following.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a camera pocket with plug in element, and

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the plug in element.

FIG. 1 shows a pocket 10, which has an essentially rectangular accommodation area 12, which is matched in its shape to an electronic apparatus (not shown). The electronic apparatus can be matter of any arbitrary apparatus having a display. Such apparatuses are photographic cameras, mobile telephones, navigation apparatuses and the like, for instance. The pocket 10 is closed by a lid 14, which is pivotally articulated on the pocket along the line 16. The lid 14 is held on the pocket by a pair of incorporated magnets 34. Alternatively, even Velcro material, a magnetic or push button or a latch lock can be provided.

The pocket can be made of a material like leather or plastic material, for instance. Other possible materials are Nylon, Polyurethane, Polyvinylchloride, hemp or cotton. The pocket may also be provided with ears or loops at one side, for fastening it on a neck- or shoulder strap or a belt.

The pocket is adapted to the dimensions of different camera bodies in its geometry. The camera to be accommodated is put into the accommodation area 12 and essentially fills the same. In this, the camera bears against at least the front and the rear flat side 18, 20. The accommodation area 12 of the pocket can be stuffed with different materials. As an inside lining, soft fabrics or microfibre fabrics may be used for instance.

A plug in element 22 is provided on the rear wall of the pocket 10, which has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The dimensions are adapted to the rear wall 20 of the pocket, so that the plug in element is held between the side walls 24, 26 of the pocket 10. At its upper end, the plug in element has a loop 28, which is provided for taking out the plug in element 22. The plug in element 22 has a stable rear wall (not shown), which stabilises the pocket additionally in the inserted condition. A microfibre pad 30 is provided on the plug in element 22.

The microfibre pad 30 is connected to the plug in element by a circumferential seam 32 in the shown realisation example. Of course, it is also possible to connect the pad to the plug in element in another way.

A fixture for the plug in element 22 can be additionally provided on the rear wall of the accommodation area 12 (not shown). A Velcro connection can be provided here, for instance, in order to keep the plug in element securely in the accommodation area even without an electronic apparatus.

The particular advantage of the plug in element 22 is that is serves as a protection for the monitor of a camera or another electronic apparatus on the one hand, and can be taken out of the pocket on the other hand, where it serves for cleaning the monitor with its soft side. With cameras, even the objective lens or the cover-up element thereof can be cleaned also. A further advantage is that the plug in element is protected against contamination in the pocket and cannot be lost also. 

1. An accommodation device for an electronic apparatus with a monitor on a flat side, wherein the accommodation device has an accommodation area (12) for the apparatus which features a wall section (20), destinated to take its bearing on the monitor of the apparatus, characterised in that a flat plug in element (22) is provided, which is provided with a soft surface on at least one flat side and which sits close to the wall section (20) in the plugged in condition.
 2. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the plug in element (22) is made to be stiffer than the walls in the area for the accommodation (12) of the apparatus.
 3. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the plug in element (22) features an essentially rectangular shape.
 4. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the flat side features a microfibre tissue on the soft surface.
 5. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the plug in element (22) has holding elements in order to be held in the accommodation area in the inserted state.
 6. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the accommodation area can accommodate the apparatus completely.
 7. An accommodation device according to claim 6, characterised in that the collapsible cover (12) has a lock (34).
 8. An accommodation device according to claim 6, characterised in that the accommodation area can be closed by a zip- or sliding lock.
 9. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the plug in element is formed such that it can be taken out of the accommodation device.
 10. An accommodation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the plug in element is formed as a cleaning element for the monitor in the taken out condition. 